§ LORD RATHCAVANMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that the wreck of the Spanish galleon "Gerona" which presumably formed part of the Armada of 1588 has been discovered by a Belgian diving expert off the North coast of County Antrim, and that a number of treasures from this wreck have been found; whether they can say where these treasures now are and whether they belong to Her Majesty's Government; and if not, to whom they do belong.
§ THE EARL OF LIMERICKMy Lords, the answer to the first part of the Question is, Yes. The articles recovered from this site fell to be sold as unclaimed wreck, in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894. Her Majesty's Government decided that the Ulster Museum should have the opportunity of purchasing this important collection of articles. The purchase has now been completed and ownership of the articles is vested in the Board of Trustees of the Ulster Museum where the collection is displayed.
§ LORD RATHCAVANMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether the courageous Belgian who made this discovery has had any advantage from it, financial or otherwise?
§ THE EARL OF LIMERICKYes, my Lords, he has received a salvage award.